Practicing Pointed Pen Calligraphy

December 24, 2015

This will be the fifth post about my adventures and misadventures in calligraphy.

Calligraphy 105

As you may not know, I started practicing just last April 2015. I got really curious about the craft so I decided to research on shops that sell calligraphy stuff for beginners and that’s where I discovered The Craft Central.

This post will be about my practice using various nibs that differs in their stiffness, flexibility and the way that I used them in writing.

Materials used:

Walnut ink

straight holders

oblique holder

Tachikawa Nikko G nib

Speedball nib (#5)

Hunt Imperial 101

I decided to bring all my calligraphy stuff / junk here in the province so I could be productive. I even thought of creating diverse Christmas cards to be sent to close friends and other relatives but my mom told me that time was not in our hands. Writing in every card would consume time and sending it may not reach them in time. Then, I just decided to practice the craft and look at the progress I made back to eight (8) months ago when I just started.

When I volunteered for Type Kita: Pass on the Passion, I was really excited about it. Even though I still had classes, all I can think of was the event and how will we work there and will we be able to enjoy it. To be honest, I really enjoyed being there. Meeting my calligraphy and doodle idols in the event was really a dream come true!

Going back, I began practicing once exams were done and my strokes were really as if it was my first time to hold a pen and write. It was really not that good, in short, it was ugly! Then, I decided to allot like an hour or two to practice my strokes and it yielded the results I wanted.

Now, since I got my Speedball nibs which other articles would say that are leftie-friendly, I often use them when practicing. My stubborn self would still use oblique holder even it’s quite tough if you’re a leftie.

Some of the works / practice sheets I did:

Images 1 & 2

Image 3

Image 4

DetailsOn images 1 and 2:

Written using walnut ink from The Craft Central

For image 1 (upper part), used Speedball #5 nib with straight pen holder and for the lower part of the image, used Tachikawa Nikko G nib and straight holder.

For image 2, used Speedball #5, straight holder.

Written on a drawing journal bought from Typo.

On image 3:

Written using walnut ink from The Craft Central

Used various nibs for the different quotes (Speedball #5, Hunt Imperial 101, Tachikawa Nikko G nib and Hunt 22)

Used straight holders and oblique holders

Written on a piece of watercolor paper from Canson (acid-free, 200 gsm)

On image 4:

Written using walnut ink from The Craft Central

Lifted from Shakespeare

Used Tachikawa Nikko G nib and straight holder.

Written on Canson Sketch Pad (acid-free, 90 gsm)

Even if I won’t be able to send out greeting cards, I’d still push myself to practice. After all, the people I look up to who are good with the craft, started with mistakes and errors and they just struggled to push and practice.

Lesson/s learned:

Never hinder yourself in practicing, think that you’ll be able to do it just like your idols.

Watching tutorials and joining workshops are not bad at all. Some are costly so watching tutorials online are not bad at all.

Getting jealous or envious of others’ works is bad for you. You are your own self and it’s better if you don’t compare to them. Admiring their works is normal but it’s best if you have your own version of your art.

Practicing everyday will also wear you out so it’s okay to take a break.

Patience is vital especially in cleaning the nibs and the pen holders and also in doing the drills and strokes.